The Nigerian Navy (NN) has rescued 18 victims of human trafficking at about 10pm on Saturday 4 February 2023 at Rijiyar Lemu in Ungogo Local Government Area (LGA) of Kano State.
A statement signed by the Nigerian Navy Director of Information, Commodore AO Ayo-Vaughan reads that the rescue was done sequel to a tip off from an officer in the Nigerian Navy Finance and Logistics College (NNFLC) Dawakin Tofa whose sister was being trafficked through Kano enroute Libya and France.
“Upon receipt of the information, the NNFLC internal security team swung into action”
The team localized Rijiyar Lemu and Bachirawa areas where detailed reconnaissance led to the rescue of the victims who were housed in an uncompleted building.
Furthermore, 2 of the suspected traffickers were arrested while others are at large.
Accordingly, the victims were kept in custody of the College where medication and other necessary attention were offered.
Also, the Kano Zonal office of National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons and other related matters (NAPTIP) in Kano was informed.
Consequently, the suspects and victims were handed over to NAPTIP for interrogation and further necessary action on Monday 6 February 2023.
While pledging her unalloyed loyalty to the fulfilment of her constitutional mandate, the NN wishes to advise perpetrators of crimes to desist from such acts.